Image processing apparatus and method for selective
power supply

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus includes a chipset unit which processes data; a connector which includes a plurality of terminals, and is configured to connect with a cable so that the chipset unit can transmit and receive a signal to and from an external device; a switching unit which supplies power to the external device through a first terminal of the connector, and selectively controls a switching operation regarding whether or not to supply power to the first terminal on the basis of a signal state of a second terminal of the connector when the cable is connected to the connector. A control method of the image processing apparatus is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/323,818, filed on Jul. 3, 2014, in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/286,389, filed on May 23, 2014, in the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office, now abandoned, which is a continuation application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/226,908, filed on Sep. 7, 2011, inthe U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,930,730, whichclaims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0018385,filed on Mar. 2, 2011, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Methods and apparatuses consistent with the exemplary embodiments relateto an image processing apparatus, to which an external device iscommunicatively connected, depending on preset standards, and a controlmethod thereof. More particularly, the exemplary embodiments aredirected to an image processing apparatus having a structure wherecharge power can be supplied to an external device through a cableconnected to the corresponding external device, and a control methodthereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

An image processing apparatus processes video contents received from aexterior device through various processes, and either displays theprocessed video contents on its own display panel or outputs theprocessed video to another image processing apparatus to be displayed asan image on the corresponding image processing apparatus. The imageprocessing apparatus may include a television or a monitor in thesituation of having its own display panel, or may include a digitalversatile disc (DVD)/Blu-ray disc (BD), a set top box, etc. in thesituation of having no display panel.

Generally, an image processing system having plural image processingapparatuses communicatively connected each other, by a wire orwirelessly, is often used, rather than using an image processingapparatus independently. For instance, there is a system where a DVD/BDplayer and a TV are connected by a cable complying with presetstandards, and an image reproduced by the DVD/BD player is displayed onthe TV.

Also, power or a control signal for operational control as well as avideo signal containing video contents may be transmitted and receivedbetween an image processing apparatus and another image processingapparatus, which are connected to each other. To this end, a cable and aconnector of the image processing apparatus, to which the cable isconnected, have a plurality of corresponding pins or terminals, in orderthat the cable and the connector can be physically connected to eachother, thereby transmitting various characteristic signals through theplurality of pins or terminals.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the foregoing and/or other aspects may be achieved byproviding an image processing apparatus including: a chipset unit whichprocesses data; a connector which includes a plurality of terminals, andconnects with a cable so that the chipset unit can transmit and receivea signal to and from an external device; and a switching unit whichsupplies power from the image processing apparatus to the externaldevice through a first terminal of the connector, and selectivelycontrols a switching operation regarding whether to supply power of theimage processing apparatus to the first terminal on the basis of asignal state of a second terminal of the connector when the cable isconnected to the connector.

The signal state of the second terminal may be varied depending onwhether a third terminal of the connector is connected to the secondterminal. The switching unit may allow power from the image processingapparatus to be supplied to the first terminal, such as a cablecomplying with a first preset standard to connect the second terminaland the third terminal.

The switching unit may include a detection circuit which detects whetherthe second terminal and the third terminal are connected; and a firstswitching circuit which is turned on to supply power from the imageprocessing apparatus to the first terminal in response to a detection bythe detection circuit that the second terminal and the third terminalare connected.

The detection circuit may include a pull-up circuit connected to thethird terminal. The first switching circuit may be connected to thesecond terminal and turned on by the pull-up circuit so that power fromthe image processing apparatus can be transmitted to the first terminalwhen the second terminal and the third terminal are connected.

The pull-up circuit may include a resistor connected to power and thethird terminal.

The detection circuit may include a pull-down circuit connected to thesecond terminal and the first switching circuit. The first switchingcircuit may be turned off by the pull-down circuit so that the power ofthe image processing apparatus cannot be transmitted to the firstterminal when the second terminal and the third terminal aredisconnected.

The pull-down circuit may include a resistor connected to ground.

The switching unit may include a second switching circuit for connectingthe chipset unit to the first terminal and the first switching circuit.

The second switching circuit may be turned on or off by the pull-upcircuit and the pull-down circuit in a reverse manner as with the firstswitching circuit.

The second switching circuit may prevent the power of the imageprocessing apparatus supplied to the first terminal from being suppliedto the chipset unit when the first switching circuit is turned on. Thesecond switching circuit may allow the first terminal and the chipsetunit to be connected when the first switching circuit is turned off.

The switching unit may include a controller which turns on the firstswitching circuit and turns off the second switching circuit in responseto connection to the pull-up circuit. The controller may turn off thefirst switching circuit and turn on the second switching circuit inresponse to being disconnected from the pull-up circuit.

The switching unit may shut off the power from the image processingapparatus to the first terminal in response to the cable connected tothe connector complying with a second preset standard not to connect thesecond terminal and the third terminal, or in response to the cable notbeing connected to the connector.

The cable corresponding to the first standard may comply with mobilehigh-definition link (MHL) standards, and the cable corresponding to thesecond standard may comply with high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI) standards.

Another aspect may be achieved by providing a control method of an imageprocessing apparatus including a chipset unit which processes data; anda connector which includes a plurality of terminals and connects with acable so that the chipset unit can transmit and receive a signal to andfrom an external device, the method including: selectively switchingwhether to supply power from the image processing apparatus to a firstterminal on the basis of a signal state of a second terminal of theconnector different from the first terminal of the connector, providingpower from the image processing apparatus to the external device, whenthe cable is connected to the connector; and transmitting the power ofthe image processing apparatus to the first terminal in response to thesecond terminal being in a preset signal state.

The signal state of the second terminal may be varied depending onwhether a third terminal of the connector is connected to the secondterminal. The switching may include allowing the power from the imageprocessing apparatus to be supplied to the first terminal as the cable,complying with a first preset standard connects the second terminal andthe third terminal.

The switching may include detecting whether the second terminal and thethird terminal are connected; allowing the power from the imageprocessing apparatus to be supplied to the first terminal in response toa detection that the second terminal and the third terminal areconnected; and shutting off the power from the image processingapparatus to the first terminal in response to a detection that thesecond terminal and the third terminal are disconnected.

The allowing the power of the image processing apparatus to be suppliedto the first terminal in response to a detection that the secondterminal and the third terminal are connected may include preventing thepower from the image processing apparatus, supplied to the firstterminal, from being supplied to the chipset unit.

The shutting off of the power from the image processing apparatus to thefirst terminal in response to a detection that the second terminal andthe third terminal are disconnected, may include allowing the firstterminal and the chipset unit to be connected.

The switching may include shutting off the power from the imageprocessing apparatus to the first terminal in response to the cableconnected to the connector complying with a second preset standard notto connect the second terminal and the third terminal, or in response tothe cable not being connected to the connector.

The cable corresponding to the first standard may comply with mobilehigh-definition link (MHL) standards, and the cable corresponding to thesecond standard may comply with high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI) standards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an image processing apparatus and an external deviceaccording to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration of a connector in the imageprocessing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the connector and a switching unit in theimage processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a connector and a switching unit in animage processing apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a connector and a switching unit in animage processing apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing operation of an image processing apparatusaccording to a fourth exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing operation of an image processing apparatusaccording to a fifth exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Below, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with referenceto accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments will be describedregarding elements that directly relate to the spirit of the presentinventive concept, and descriptions of other elements will be omitted.However, this does not mean that the elements whose descriptions areomitted are unnecessary for embodying an apparatus or system to whichthe spirit of the present inventive concept is applied.

FIG. 1 illustrates an external device 30 connected to an imageprocessing apparatus 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment.

As shown therein, the image processing apparatus 10 and external devices20 and 30 are connected for interactive communication through cables 40and 50. To this end, image processing apparatus 10 includes at least oneconnector 100 to which cables 40 and 50 are physically connected.

In this exemplary embodiment, image processing apparatus 10 includes oneconnector 100, but not limited thereto. The image processing apparatusmay include a plurality of connectors 100, and each connector 100 maycorrespond to one connector 100 described in this exemplary embodiment.

Also, in this exemplary embodiment, image processing apparatus 10 is adisplay apparatus capable of displaying an image, and external devices20 and 30 are a DVD/BD player 20 or a mobile device 30, but not limitedthereto. However, in light of embodying the image processing apparatus10 to which the spirit of the present invention is applied, the aboveexamples do not limit the spirit of the inventive concept.

Image processing apparatus 10 can be connected to one of externaldevices 20 and 30 through connector 100 and cables 40 and 50 connectedto connector 100. Image processing apparatus 10 can interactivelycommunicate with external devices 20 and 30. Further, variouscharacteristic signals, such as, a video signal containing videocontents, a control signal for operation control of the image processingapparatus 10 or external devices 20 and 30, or unlimited various kindsof data, power, etc. may be transmitted and received between imageprocessing apparatus 10 and external devices 20 and 30.

In this exemplary embodiment, connector 100 of image processingapparatus 10 complies with high definition multimedia interface (HDMI)standards. Connector 100, in accordance with HDMI standards, includes 19pins/terminals for transmitting a signal.

Between cables 40 and 50, which are respectively connected to externaldevices 20 and 30, a first cable 40 connected to first device 20complies with the HDMI standards, like connector 100. However, a secondcable 50 connected to second device 30 complies with mobilehigh-definition link (MHL) standards.

The MHL standard is a modified protocol of the HDMI standard forconnecting a relatively small mobile device 30 with image processingapparatus 10. Second cable 50 of the MHL standards is connectable withconnector 100 of the HDMI standards. Second cable 50 uses 6 terminalsfrom among the 19 terminals of connector 100. Cable 50 of the MHLstandards is different from cable 40 of the HDML standards incharacteristics or transmissive direction of a signal transmittedthrough these 6 terminals. In the situation where cables 40 and 50 areconnected to connector 100, an example where a signal is assigned toeach terminal of connector 100 in accordance with respective standards,will be described later.

In this exemplary embodiment, the HDMI and MHL standards and the numberof terminals provided in connector 100 are specifically described, butnot limited thereto. That is, the spirit of the present inventiveconcept may be applied to the HDMI and MHL standards with the exceptionthat the standards specifically illustrated in this exemplaryembodiment, and may not be restricted by the number and configurationsof terminals provided in the connector 100, signal assignment of eachterminal, etc.

Below, detailed configurations of image processing apparatus 10 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of theimage processing apparatus of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, image processing apparatus 10 includes a connector100 to which a first cable 40 connecting with a first device 20 or asecond cable 50 connecting with a second device 30 is connected. Imageprocessing apparatus 10 further includes chipset unit 200 whichprocesses data on the basis of a preset process, and a power supply 300which supplies operation power to different elements.

In this exemplary embodiment, connector 100 complies with the HDMIstandards, and allows one of the external devices 20 and 30 tointeractively communicate with chipset unit 200. Detailed configurationsof connector 100 will be described later.

Chipset unit 200 is achieved by a system-on-chip (SOC) or a combinationgroup of various chipsets, and performs various processes related toimage processing. Chipset unit 200 may transmit and receive data/controlsignal/power/etc. to and from external device 20, 30 connected throughconnector 100, as well as perform the image processing, and processesthe corresponding data/control signal/power on the basis of the presetprocess.

Power supply 300 converts alternating current (AC) power received fromthe exterior of image processing apparatus 10 into direct current (DC)power of various levels, and supplies them to the respective elements ofimage processing apparatus 10. Alternatively, power supply 300 mayreceive DC power from a battery (not shown) and supply power to imageprocessing apparatus 10.

Here, connector 100 has 19 terminals based on the HDMI standards, asshown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the respective terminals of the connector100.

Referring to FIG. 3, connector 100 includes total 19 terminals from P01to P19. If first cable 40, complying with the HDMI standards, isconnected to connector 100, 19 terminals of connector 100 are connected,respectively, to 19 terminals of first cable 40.

In the HDMI standards, the characteristics of signals assigned to therespective terminals will be shown in the following table 1. The signalassignment as shown in the table 1 is simply an example, and does notlimit the inventive concept.

TABLE 1 Terminal Assigned signal P01 TMDS data 2+ P02 TMDS data 2 shieldP03 TMDS data 2− P04 TMDS data 1+ P05 TMDS data 1 shield P06 TMDS data1− P07 TMDS data 0+ P08 TMDS data 0 shield P09 TMDS data 0 P10 TMDSclock + P11 TMDS clock shield P12 TMDS clock − P13 CEC P14 Reserve P15DDC clock P16 DDC data P17 Ground P18 +5 V power at transmission sideP19 Hot plug detection — —

In table 1, TMDS is the acronym of transition minimized differentialsignaling. CED is the acronym of consumer electronics control, and DDCis the acronym of display data channel.

Meanwhile, if second cable 50, complying with the MHL standards, isconnected to connector 100, 6 terminals (P02, P10, P12, P15, P18 andP19) of the among 19 terminals (P01 to P19) of connector 100 areconnected to second cable 50. In this situation, the characteristics ofthe signals assigned to the respective terminals (P01 to P19) ofconnector 100, as shown in the table 1 are changed. For example, whensecond cable 50 is connected, a signal where data and clocks arecombined is transmitted and received through terminals P10 and P12;terminal P18 forms a power bus, and terminal P19 forms a control bus.

With this configuration, in response to second cable 50 being connectedto connector 100, chipset unit 200 of image processing apparatus 10 isconfigured to supply charging power to second device 30 when receiving apreset control signal from second device 30.

In this situation, the second device 30 has to transmit the controlsignal to image processing apparatus 10. Therefore, power remaining inthe battery (not shown) of second device 30 has to be sufficient enoughto transmit the control signal. That is, with the above configuration,in response to the power remaining in the battery (not shown) of seconddevice 30 being zero, it is difficult for image processing apparatus 10to supply the charging power to second device 30.

In addition, chipset unit 200 controls the power to be supplied frompower supply 300 to second device 30. Thus, chipset unit 200 enters astandby mode in a standby mode of image processing apparatus 10.Accordingly, it is difficult to supply power to the second device. Thatis, in response to image processing apparatus 10 not being a normal modebut rather being in the standby mode, it is difficult to supply chargingpower to second device 30.

Taking this point into account, image processing apparatus 10 in thisexemplary embodiment includes a switching unit 400, as shown in FIG. 2.

If there are a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminalfrom among the plural terminals of connector 100, switching unit 400 cansupply the power of image processing apparatus 10 to external device 30via the first terminal, and selectively switches the supply of power tothe first terminal on the basis of a signal state of the secondterminal, when cable 40, 50 is connected to connector 100.

Here, the signal state of the second terminal is, for example, changedbetween high and low (or between 0 and 1) in accordance with whether ornot the third terminal of connector 100 is connected to the secondterminal. Based on such a signal state, switching unit 400 can detectwhether second cable 50 complying with the MHL standards, is connectedto connector 100. In response to a detection that second cable 50,complying with the MHL standards, is connected, switching unit 400allows the power of image processing apparatus 10 to be supplied to thefirst terminal.

Thus, image processing apparatus 10 can supply the charge power tosecond device 30 via second cable 50 even though the power remaining inthe battery (not shown) of second device 30 is zero or image processingapparatus 10 is in the standby mode.

Below, detailed configurations of connector 100 and the switching unit400, in this exemplary embodiment, will be described with reference toFIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the connector and a switchingunit in the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1. In the followingexemplary embodiments and drawings, only minimum configurations directlyrelated to the present inventive concept will be described andillustrated.

As shown in FIG. 4, terminals P02, P10, P12, P15, P18 and P19, fromamong the 19 terminals of connector 100, comply with the MHL standards.Among them, terminal P18 is connected to chipset unit 200 via a firstline 410, and a second line 420 is connected to the power of the imageprocessing apparatus 10, e.g., standby power of +5V is branched fromfirst line 410.

Switching unit 400 includes a detection circuit 430 for detecting aconnection between the terminals P02 and P15, and a switching circuit440, which is turned on in order to supply the power of image processingapparatus 10 to terminal P18 in response to a detection by detectioncircuit 430 that terminals P02 and P15 are connected.

Detection circuit 430 includes a pull-up circuit 431 connected to theterminal P15, and a pull-down circuit 432 connected to terminal P02.Pull-up circuit 431 and pull-down circuit 432 are configured,respectively, to include resistors having predetermined resistance.Pull-up circuit 431 connects to the power of +5V, as the standby powerfor image processing apparatus 10, and pull-down circuit 432 connects toground.

Switching circuit 440 is installed on second line 420, and connects withterminal P02 and pull-down circuit 432. Switching circuit 440 isconfigured to include a transistor (not shown) to which the power ofimage processing apparatus 10 is connected. In response to connector 100not being connected with any cable 40, 50 or connects with first cable40 complying with the HDMI standards, switching circuit 440 is turnedoff by pull-down circuit 432. Thus, second line 420 becomes open and thepower passing through second line 420 is shut off.

Meanwhile, second cable 50, complying with the MHL standards isconfigured to include lines, respectively which correspond to terminalsP02 and P15 of connector 100, which are connected to each other througha resistor 51 having predetermined resistance, e.g., 3.3 kΩ.

Accordingly, in response to second cable 50 being connected to connector100, terminals P02 and P15 are connected to each other and the pull-upcircuit 431 is connected to switching circuit 440. The connection is viathe terminal P15, the second cable 50 and the terminal P02. At thistime, pull-up circuit 431 causes the signal state of terminal P02 tobecome high, by way of example, between high and low. For reference, thehigh/low states are provided just to distinguish the signal states fromone another.

Accordingly, switching circuit 440 is turned on by pull-up circuit 431,and therefore second line 420 becomes closed and the power is suppliedto first line 410 and terminal P18. This supplied power for charging issupplied from terminal P18 to second device 30 via the second cable 50.

In this manner, switching unit 400 can selectively supply power toterminal P18 in accordance with second cable 50 complying with the MHLstandards. Thus, even though the power remaining in the battery (notshown) of second device 30 is zero or image processing apparatus 10 isin the standby mode, image processing apparatus 10 can supply power tosecond device 30.

In the meantime, in response to second cable 50 being separated fromconnector 100 or first cable 40, complying with the HDMI standards, isconnected to connector 100, terminals P02 and P15 are disconnected.Pull-up circuit 431 and switching circuit 440 are disconnected, and atthis time the signal state of terminal P02 becomes low by pull-downcircuit 432.

Accordingly, switching circuit 440 is turned off by pull-down circuit432, and shuts off the power supplied through second line 420. Thus,second line 420 is switched to become open/closed in accordance with thestandards of whichever cable 40, 50 is connected to connector 100.

Meanwhile, as described in the foregoing first exemplary embodiment, theapparatus may be configured to prevent the power supplied to terminalP18 from being supplied to chipset unit 200 when second cable 50 isconnected to connector 100.

Below, such a configuration will be described as the second exemplaryembodiment, with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic circuitdiagram of connector 100 and switching unit 500 in an image processingapparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, a first line 510 connects the chipset unit 200 andthe terminal P18. A second line 520, to which power is supplied, isbranched from a node 511 of first line 510.

Switching unit 500 includes a detection circuit 530 for detecting aconnection between terminals P02 and P15, a first switching circuit 540installed on second line 520 and switching second line 520 to be openedand closed. A second switching circuit 550 is installed on first line510 between node 511 and chipset unit 200 of first line 510 and switchesfirst line 510 open and closed.

Detection circuit 530 includes a pull-up circuit 531 connected toterminal P15, and a pull-down circuit 532 connected to terminal P02.Detection circuit 530 and first switching circuit 540 correspond todetection circuit 430 and switching circuit 440 (refer to FIG. 4)described in the foregoing first exemplary embodiment. Thus, repetitivedescriptions thereof will be avoided.

Second switching circuit 550 switches connection of the chipset unit 200to terminal P18 and switching circuit 540. Second switching circuit 550is achieved by a transistor such as the transistor in first switchingcircuit 540, and is switched to be turned on/off by detection circuit530. Second switching circuit 550 is turned on/off in reverse to firstswitching circuit 540, under operation of detection circuit 530, i.e.,the pull-up circuit 531 and pull-down circuit 532.

Specifically, when terminals P02 and P15 are connected via second cable50, pull-up circuit 531 turns on first switching circuit 540 and turnsoff second switching circuit 550. That is, since first switching circuit540 is turned off, the power supplied through second line 520 is shutoff. However, the connection between terminal P18 and chipset unit 200is permitted. In response to first cable 40 being connected to connector100, chipset unit 200 may receive power from first device 20, via theterminal P18.

Thus, according to this exemplary embodiment, the power supply throughterminal P18 and the connection of chipset unit 200 to terminal P18 canbe switched in accordance with whether or not cable 50, complying withthe MHL standards, is connected to connector 100.

Meanwhile, a controller 660 may be installed separately in order tocontrol the switching operations of first switching circuit 540 andsecond switching circuit 550, which will be described below as a thirdexemplary embodiment with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a circuitdiagram of a connector 100 and a switching unit 600 in an imageprocessing apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, a first line 610 connects chipset unit 200 andterminal P18, and a second line 620, to which power is supplied, isbranched from a node 611 of first line 610.

Switching unit 600 includes a detection circuit 630, a first switchingcircuit 640 and a second switching circuit 650.

Detection circuit 630 includes a pull-up circuit 631 connected to theterminal P15, and a pull-down circuit 632 connected to terminal P02,which correspond to those of the second exemplary embodiment. Thus,repetitive descriptions thereof will be avoided. First switching circuit640 switches second line 620 to be opened and closed, and secondswitching circuit 650 switches first line 610 between node 611 andchipset unit 200 to be opened and closed.

Further, switching unit 600 in this exemplary embodiment includescontroller 660 for selectively controlling switching operations of firstswitching circuit 640 and second switching circuit 650 in accordancewith detection results of detection circuit 630. Controller 660 isconnected to terminal P02 and pull-down circuit 632.

In this exemplary embodiment, controller 660 may be achieved by a microcontroller unit (MCU), and first switching circuit 640 and secondswitching circuit 650 may be achieved by a transistor, a relay, etc.,but are not limited thereto.

With this configuration, if in response to second cable 50 beingconnected to connector 100, pull-up circuit 631 for example applies ahigh signal to controller 660. Thus, controller 660 turns on firstswitching circuit 640 and turns off second switching circuit 650.

On the other hand, in response to second cable 50 disconnected fromconnector 100 or first cable 40 is connected to connector 100,connection with pull-up circuit 631 is released and pull-down circuit632 applies a low signal to controller 660. Thus, controller 660 turnsoff first switching circuit 640 and turns on second switching circuit650.

With regard to whether to supply power, connection states between theelements, etc., depending on the turned-on/off states of first switchingcircuit 640 and second switching circuit 650, the foregoing exemplaryembodiments may be applied thereto and thus repetitive descriptionsthereof will be avoided.

Below, an operation of image processing apparatus 10 according to afourth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing this operation.

Connector 100, in this exemplary embodiment includes a first terminalcapable of supplying power to external device 30, and second and thirdterminals for detecting a change in a signal state, depending onconnection of the cable 40, 50.

As shown in FIG. 7, in response to cable 40, 50 being physicallyconnected to connector 100 (S100), image forming apparatus 10 determineswhether the second terminal is in a high signal state (S110).

If the second terminal is in the high signal state, image processingapparatus 10 allows its own power to be supplied to first terminal(S120), and thus provides the power to external device 30 through firstterminal (S130).

On the other hand, in response to the second terminal not being in thehigh signal state, image processing apparatus 10 shuts off its own powerto first terminal (S140).

Below, an operation of the image processing apparatus 10 according to afifth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8.FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing this operation.

Connector 100 in this exemplary embodiment includes a first terminalcapable of supplying power to external device 30, and second and thirdterminals for detecting change in a signal state depending on connectionof cable 40, 50.

As shown in FIG. 8, in response to cable 40, 50 being physicallyconnected to the connector 100 (S200), image forming apparatus 10determines whether or not the second terminal is in a high signal state(S210).

If the second terminal is in the high signal state, image processingapparatus 10 allows its own power to be supplied to first terminal andshuts off the power to chipset unit 200 (S220). Further, imageprocessing apparatus 10 provides power to external device 30 throughfirst terminal (S230).

On the other hand, if the second terminal is not in the high signalstate, image processing apparatus 10 shuts off its own power to thefirst terminal (S240) and allows a connection between the first terminaland chipset unit 200 (S250).

Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be madein these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles andspirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: asignal processor; a connector configured to connect to a cable totransmit signals between the signal processor and an external device,the connector comprising a plurality of terminals; a switching unitconnected to a first terminal of the plurality of the terminals; and apower supply configured to supply power to the signal processor and theswitching unit, wherein the switching unit is configured to switch on toallow the power from the power supply to be transmitted to the externaldevice via the first terminal in response to a second terminal and athird terminal of the plurality of the terminals being connected witheach other due to the cable being connected to the connector while thesignal processor is a stand-by mode.
 2. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the switching unit is further configuredto switch off to cut off the power from the power supply to the firstterminal when the second terminal and the third terminal are notconnected with each other while the signal processor is the stand-bymode.
 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe switching unit is configured to switch on or off based on a signalstate of the second terminal.
 4. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the signal state of the second terminal isconfigured to be varied depending on whether or not the third terminalis connected to the second terminal, and wherein the switching unit isfurther configured to allow the power to be supplied to the firstterminal, as the cable complying with a first standard preset to connectthe second terminal and the third terminal, is connected.
 5. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the switching unitcomprises: a detection circuit configured to detect a connection betweenthe second terminal and the third terminal; and a first switchingcircuit configured to be turned on so as to supply power from the powersupply to the first terminal in response to the detection circuitdetecting that the second terminal and the third terminal are connectedwith each other.
 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5,wherein: the detection circuit comprises a pull-up circuit connected tothe third terminal, and the first switching circuit is connected to thesecond terminal and configured to be turned on by the pull-up circuit,so that power can be transmitted to the first terminal while the secondterminal and the third terminal are connected with each other.
 7. Theimage processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pull-upcircuit comprises a resistor connected to the power supply and the thirdterminal.
 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6,wherein: the detection circuit further comprises a pull-down circuitconnected to the second terminal and the first switching circuit, andthe first switching circuit is configured to be turned off by thepull-down circuit so that the power from the power supply cannot betransmitted to the first terminal when the second terminal and the thirdterminal are disconnected from each other.
 9. The image processingapparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pull-down circuit comprisesa resistor connected to ground.
 10. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the switching unit further comprises asecond switching circuit configured to switch in order to connect ordisconnect the signal processor to the first terminal and the firstswitching circuit.
 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim10, wherein the second switching circuit is configured to be turned onor turned off by the pull-up circuit and the pull-down circuit, inreverse operation to the first switching circuit.
 12. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second switchingcircuit is further configured to prevent the power supplied to the firstterminal from being supplied to the signal processor while the firstswitching circuit is turned on, and allow the first terminal and thesignal processor to be connected while the first switching circuit isturned off.
 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10,wherein the switching unit further comprises a controller configured toturn on the first switching circuit and turn off the second switchingcircuit in response to a connection to the pull-up circuit, andconfigured to turn off the first switching circuit and turn on thesecond switching circuit in response to disconnection from the pull-upcircuit.
 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4,wherein the switching unit is further configured to cut off the powerfrom the power supply to the first terminal in response to the cableconnected to the connector complying with a second standard preset notto connect the second terminal and the third terminal, or in response tothe cable not being connected to the connector.
 15. The image processingapparatus according to claim 14, wherein the cable corresponding to thefirst standard complies with mobile high-definition link (MHL)standards, and the cable corresponding to the second standard complieswith high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) standards.
 16. An imageprocessing apparatus comprising: a signal processor; a connectorconfigured to connect to a cable to transmit signals between the signalprocessor and an external device, the connector comprising a pluralityof terminals; a switching unit connected to the connector; and a powersupply configured to supply power to the signal processor, wherein thepower is supplied from the power supply to the external device via theswitching unit in response to a second terminal of the plurality of theterminals and a third terminal of the plurality of the terminals beingconnected with each other due to the cable being connected to theconnector even while the signal processor is in a stand-by mode, andwherein the power from the power supply is not supplied to the externaldevice while the second terminal and the third terminal are notconnected with each other.
 17. An image processing apparatus comprising:a signal processor; a connector configured to connect to a cable totransmit signals between the signal processor and an external device,the connector comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, and athird terminal; a switching unit connected to the first terminal of theconnector; and a power supply configured to supply power to the signalprocessor and to the switching unit, wherein the switching unit isconfigured to transmit the power from the power supply to the firstterminal to be transmitted to the external device in response to amobile high-definition link (MHL) standards cable being connected to theconnector even while the signal processor is in a stand-by mode, and tocut off the power from the power supply to the first terminal so thatpower is not transmitted to the external device in response to ahigh-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) standards cable beingconnected to the connector, and wherein the MHL standards cable isconfigured to connect a second terminal and a third terminal of theconnector with each other while connected to the connector, and the HDMLstandards cable is configured to not connect a second terminal and athird terminal of the connector with each other while connected to theconnector.
 18. The image processing apparatus according to claim 17,wherein the switching unit is further configured to cut off the powerfrom the power supply to the first terminal so that power is nottransmitted to the external device in response to no cable beingconnected to the connector.